New Mercedes E-Class

Lexus LM

BMW 7 Series

Audi A8

Audi S8

BMW M8

Audi A6

Porsche Panamera

the-best-luxury-cars-in-2023

best-luxury-cars-2023

<p>The range of luxury cars on sale is huge, stretching all the way from&nbsp;executive cruisers to some of the most capable SUVs&nbsp;on the road. What they tend to have in common is superb comfort and refinement. Plus, many&nbsp;offer&nbsp;beautifully finished&nbsp;interiors complete with high-tech entertainment systems and loads of space for rear-seat passengers.</p>

<p>Running costs might seem less important, but&nbsp;luxury saloons and SUVs are often run as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-company-cars/n22605">company cars</a>, so CO2 emissions and fuel consumption can actually be key considerations. Here we take a look at&nbsp;the top 10 currently on sale – and reveal the luxury cars you might like to steer clear of.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><em><strong>Slideshow story: please click the right-hand arrow above to continue, or simply scroll down if you’re reading on your mobile</strong></em></p>


Best luxury cars 2023

<p dir="ltr">In many ways, modern Bentleys offer the best of both worlds, blending traditional British craftsmanship with modern mechanicals developed with the help of the company’s owner, Volkswagen.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Bentayga SUV, for example, is closely related to Audi’s brilliantly engineered Q7 (another VW Group car). Yet the Bentayga still feels every inch a Bentley, thanks to its hand-finished interior and the fact that it’s available with Bentley’s outrageous W12 engine.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Other Bentleys you can buy today include the Flying Spur and Mulsanne saloons and the Continental GT coupé.</p>


BENTLEY

BENTAYGA

<p dir="ltr">Bentley is exceptionally good at producing beautifully built luxury cars that are also great to drive, and with the Bentayga that theory is upheld.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">The brand’s first SUV, it has a great sense of occasion, brilliant refinement and impressive levels of comfort and performance.</p>

<p dir="ltr">You’d be hard-pushed to spot it, but the Bentayga shares the same platform as the Audi Q7, and under the bonnet you'll find that model’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine or the tech-laden V6&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-plug-in-hybrid-cars-2022/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a>&nbsp;(PHEV).&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">That’s where the similarities end, though. The Bentley has a beautifully hand-finished interior, and a large infotainment screen that comes loaded with useful features, including wireless&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-apple-carplay/n1193">Apple CarPlay</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/advice/owning/what-is-android-auto/n1194">Android Auto</a>, real-time navigation and an embedded SIM.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Bentayga is a pretty spacious and practical&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-suvs-2022/n17036">luxury SUV</a>, but so are a number of its rivals, not least the vast&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x7/4x4/review/n19102">BMW X7</a>.</p>


10: Bentley Bentayga

<h3><strong>Pros</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Beautiful hand-finished interior</li>
	<li>Effortless performance</li>
	<li>Impressive infotainment system</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Cons</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Gearbox can be laggy around town</li>
	<li>High running costs</li>
	<li>Average boot space</li>
</ul>


Saloon

<p dir="ltr">Audi is a brand that sets the standard for interior quality, and this, combined with its vast and ever-growing model line-up, has helped it become one of the ‘big three’ German prestige car makers, along with BMW and Mercedes-Benz.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The A3 hatchback, A4 executive saloon and Q7 SUV have all won their classes at the What Car? Car of the Year Awards in recent years, while the TT coupé is the most decorated car in the history of the ceremony.</p>

<p dir="ltr">At least some of Audi's success over the past 30 years can be attributed to the growth in sales of vehicles with four-wheel drive; the company arguably led the way in bringing 4x4 technology into the mainstream, with its Quattro coupé in the early 1980s.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Today, most Audis are available with at least the option of four-wheel drive, while the list of SUVs from the brand includes the Q2, Q3, Q5 and Q7.</p>


AUDI

<p dir="ltr">The A8’s blend of performance, comfort and serenity are wedded to a beautifully built, practical and well-equipped interior. In fact, by a whisker, it beats its chief rival the<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">&nbsp;Mercedes S-Class</a>, which shows just how good it is to drive and be driven in.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Like the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/7-series/saloon/review/n127">BMW 7 Series</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">Mercedes S-Class</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover/4x4/review/n17353">Range Rover</a>,&nbsp; the A8 can be had in standard-wheelbase form (ideal if you’re a private buyer looking for the ultimate luxury saloon) or as a stretched, long-wheelbase L model, which provides even more leg room for those sitting in the back. Like former German chancellor, Angela Merkel, we prefer the A8 L.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Whether you’re sitting in the back or front seats, you can’t fail to notice the sumptuous fit and finish of the A8’s interior. It may not be as flashy or tech-laden as some alternatives, but it certainly is the most well-heeled.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>


9: Audi A8 L

<h3><strong>Pros</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Extremely comfortable ride</li>
	<li>Spacious interior and boot</li>
	<li>Class-leading interior quality</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Cons</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Expensive to run in terms of depreciation</li>
	<li>Plug-in hybrid has a shorter electric range than the S-Class</li>
	<li>Dim-witted automatic gearbox</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">Munich-based BMW is most famous for its sports saloons, in particular the 3 Series and 5 Series. However, it actually builds almost every type of car imaginable: everything from two-seat convertibles to seven-seat MPVs.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The cheapest model in the BMW range is the 1 Series hatchback, which is a rival to the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz A-Class and Volkswagen Golf. Meanwhile, at the other extreme is the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which costs more than £100,000.</p>

<p dir="ltr">BMW was also quick to capitalise on the rise of the SUV and now has six in its range: the X1, X2, X3, X4, X5 and X6.</p>

<p dir="ltr">All of this makes it one of the big three German prestige brands, along with Audi and Mercedes-Benz.</p>


<p dir="ltr">As soon as you step inside the iX, there's no mistaking it for anything other than a luxury car. Swathes of upmarket materials have been used throughout the interior, including sustainably sourced wood and pleasingly robust-feeling plastics.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Being&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/electric-cars/n17000">electric,</a>&nbsp;it's also incredibly hushed on the move and offers strong performance, although the real-world range of the xDrive40 model is disappointing at 178 miles. The more powerful xDrive50 has a larger battery and real-world range of 284 miles, which is more in line with rivals, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/e-tron/estate/review/n18397">Audi E-tron</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/jaguar/i-pace/estate/review/n122">Jaguar I-Pace</a>.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Designed from the ground up to be a pure electric model, the iX is roomy enough to seat five adults in comfort, and it has lots of useful storage solutions. It doesn’t come as a seven-seater, though.</p>


8: BMW iX

<h3><strong>Pros</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>One of the quietest cars we’ve ever tested</li>
	<li>Spacious and luxurious interior</li>
	<li>Great infotainment system</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Cons</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Air suspension and rear-wheel steering available only on pricier xDrive50</li>
	<li>xDrive40 has a disappointing real-world range</li>
	<li>Teslas have a better charging infrastructure</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">Land Rover is synonymous with SUVs, and especially with the Defender – the rugged runabout that has seen service in war zones across the world, but also as part of the Queen’s personal garage.</p>

<p dir="ltr">If off-road prowess is one of Land Rover’s core values, though, the other is luxury. Indeed, the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover Velar are among the best luxury SUVs you can buy.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Discovery, meanwhile, is a practical rival for the Audi Q7 and BMW X5, while the stylish Evoque (which is available as a three-door convertible as well as a traditional SUV) goes head to head with Audi’s Q3 and BMW’s X1.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In the coming years, we’ll see a new road-biased ‘Road Rover’ as well as an all-new Defender.</p>


LAND ROVER

RANGE ROVER

<p dir="ltr">The Range Rover needs no introduction, and this fifth-generation model takes all the elements from the previous model and enhances them.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">As before, it has a road presence few cars can equal, but now it gets an upmarket interior with improved technology and a largely comfortable ride.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Range Rover has become more versatile too. It comes in two lengths, standard and LWB, and the latter can be had with seven seats, rivalling the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/review/n87">Audi Q7</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x7/4x4/review/n19102">BMW X7</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">The diesel versions make most sense for private buyers, but the P440e and P510e &nbsp;plug-in hybrids are cheapest for company car drivers, and their pure electric range of 68-70 miles is the longest of any<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-luxury-suvs-2022/n17036">&nbsp;luxury SUV</a>.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The only cause for concern is Land Rover's reliability record, which remains among the worst of any car brand.</p>


7: Range Rover

<h3><strong>Pros</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Fabulous driving position</li>
	<li>Fantastic off-road ability</li>
	<li>Useful seven-seat versatility</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Cons</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Very expensive</li>
	<li>Reliability is a concern</li>
	<li>More physical controls for the infotainment would be preferable</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">Mercedes’ line-up is vast – ranging from the A-Class family hatchback through to staple saloons such as the C-Class and E-Class, and onwards towards multiple SUVs, luxury saloons and even sports cars. Coupés and convertibles are thrown into the mix as well.</p>

<p dir="ltr">As one of the ‘big three’ German brands, Mercedes most often finds itself competing with Audi and BMW but more recently has found itself fending off Jaguar and Volvo, too.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Mercedes models are known for comfort. One example of this is the E-Class, because while the Audi A6 has a plusher interior and the BMW 5 Series handles better, the E-Class is probably the most comfortable for a long motorway journey.</p>


MERCEDES-BENZ

S CLASS

<p dir="ltr">Not only is the Mercedes S-Class packed to the rafters with technology, but it’s also a comfortable and exceedingly well-appointed luxury saloon, and one of the best for rear seat passengers.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">The standard air suspension makes it ride more gracefully than a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/7-series/saloon/review/n127">BMW 7 Series</a>, although it’s not quite as adept at wiping out the thuds from potholes as an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/a8/saloon/review/n17302">Audi A8</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">The S-Class’s interior is certain to impress, too. All versions come with a giant portrait-orientated touchscreen infotainment system, heated front and rear seats, four-zone climate control, eight USB-C ports and a removable 7.0in tablet in the rear armrest.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The S580e plug-in hybrid is our favourite S-Class model because it has a substantial real-world electric range of up to 63 miles and it qualifies for low benefit-in-kind tax.</p>


6: Mercedes S-Class

<h3><strong>Pros</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Fantastic plug-in hybrid version</li>
	<li>Ride is mostly very comfortable</li>
	<li>Loads of space, especially in the rear of long-wheelbase models</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Cons</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Overly reliant on fiddly touch-sensitive controls</li>
	<li>Entry-level diesel isn't as smooth as it should be</li>
	<li>Mercedes's reliability record isn't the best</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">When it comes to making a statement about how successful you are, there is no brand that shouts “I’ve made it!” more emphatically than Rolls-Royce.</p>

<p dir="ltr">If that’s all you want from your car, look no further. The firm has expanded its range in recent years, with the top-of-the-range Phantom saloon being joined by the Cullinan SUV, and other models including the Wraith and Ghost.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Whichever way you go, if you have to ask how much it costs, the chances are you can’t afford it. And, even then, the base price is unlikely to be what you end up spending, such is the list of alluring options on offer.</p>

<p>It’s also a moot point whether the cars themselves – rather than the image they portray – represents the very best way to spend your money. What Car?’s testers rate all of them positively but reckon that – if you’re buying with your head rather than your heart – there are other cars that you should also consider.</p>


ROLLS-ROYCE

GHOST

<p dir="ltr">The smallest of Rolls-Royce's luxury saloons is supremely cosseting and comfortable, offering monstrous performance along with serene cruising manners and an exquisite interior.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Like all current Rolls Royce models it’s powered by a stonking great 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine, and it has four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering as standard. It’s no snarling big cat to drive, though. Instead it wafts its occupants along almost silently, its standard air suspension ironing out virtually all bumps and potholes. Only when you press your foot to the floor is the silence broken by the gravelly sound of the engine.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">While rivals, such as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bentley/flying-spur/saloon/review/n17297">Bentley Flying Spur</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/7-series/saloon/review/n127">BMW 7 Series</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/saloon/review/n17355">Mercedes S-Class</a>, offer similarly impressive performance on paper, none can match the truly cosseting luxury the Ghost delivers.</p>

<p dir="ltr">For those who can afford to buy and run it, you will not be disappointed.</p>


5: Rolls-Royce Ghost

<h3><strong>Pros</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Outstandingly comfortable ride</li>
	<li>Fabulous interior</li>
	<li>Crushing performance</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Cons</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Astronomically expensive to buy</li>
	<li>Thirsty engine also makes it costly to run</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">The Audi Q7 has been one of our favourite luxury SUVs since the original version went on sale in 2006. Instead of resting on its laurels, the latest Q7 is a great all-rounder, offering a supremely comfortable ride and excellent agility for such an enormous SUV.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Air suspension comes as standard on all versions of the Q7, so ride quality is good across the board, but if you want to waft along with the most relaxing ride opt for a Sport or S Line version.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">The Q7’s interior is one of the roomiest and plushest of any luxury SUV and there is plenty of space for adults to stretch out. It has slightly more leg room than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/discovery/4x4/review/n17342">Land Rover Discovery</a>&nbsp;and virtually matches that of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/volvo/xc90/4x4/review/n99">Volvo XC90</a>. All Q7s also come with seven seats as standard.</p>


4: Audi Q7

<h3><strong>Pros</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Smooth and powerful engines</li>
	<li>Pillowy ride in Sport and S line trims</li>
	<li>Superb interior quality</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Cons</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Touchscreen infotainment system</li>
	<li>Third-row space is better in the BMW X7</li>
	<li>Entry-level Sport trim misses some important kit</li>
</ul>


<p dir="ltr">The BMW X7 is the biggest and most luxurious SUV BMW makes. As such, the interior is beautifully made with sumptuous materials throughout, plus it comes with seven seats as standard, unlike the rival<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover/4x4/review/n17353">&nbsp;</a><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayenne/estate/review/n17375">Porsche Cayenne</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Behind the wheel, the X7 is remarkably hushed and surprisingly agile for such a big car, thanks to the standard air suspension, which helps it feel more graceful than the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/discovery/4x4/review/n17342">Land Rover Discovery</a>&nbsp;or the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/gls/4x4/review/n139">Mercedes GLS</a>.</p>

<p dir="ltr">The X7’s other asset is its sheer size. It’s truly cavernous inside, meaning there’s masses of space for those in the second row, and the two rearmost seats are roomier than those on an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/audi/q7/4x4/review/n87">Audi Q7</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp; GLS. It also treats rear seat occupants niceties such as heated, electronically folding seats and separate air-con controls.</p>


3: BMW X7

<h3><strong>Pros</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Super quiet and comfortable</li>
	<li>Incredibly spacious and practical</li>
	<li>Great infotainment system</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Cons</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>There are cheaper alternatives</li>
	<li>Feels its size and weight on the road</li>
	<li>Looks won’t be to all tastes</li>
</ul>


<p><a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/best-electric-cars-2022/n17000">Electric cars</a>&nbsp;and luxury cars often go hand in hand, and in the case of the BMW i7 the pairing works very well. It has a lavish, tech-filled interior, very hushed driving manners and an impressive official range of up to 387 miles (although this varies depending on the spec).</p>

<p dir="ltr">For those who are being driven, it offers an enormous 31in 8K touchscreen, which lowers from the headlining at the touch of a button, and two supremely comfortable rear lounge seats that have a massage function.</p>

<p dir="ltr">If you prefer to drive, the i7 is a good proposition, too.&nbsp;It can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.7sec, which is faster than most versions of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/mercedes-benz/eqs/saloon/review/n24120">Mercedes EQS</a>, although not as insanely quick as any&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/tesla/model-s/hatchback/review/n150">Tesla Model S</a>. Its real-world range of around 300 miles is a little lower than the two aforementioned rivals, though.</p>


2: BMW i7

<h3><strong>Pros</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Stunning interior</li>
	<li>Optional 8k cinema screen</li>
	<li>Extremely comfy for all occupants</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Cons</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Range isn’t spectacular</li>
	<li>Desirable options are very expensive</li>
	<li>Looks won’t appeal to everyone</li>
</ul>


RANGE ROVER SPORT

<p dir="ltr">The Range Rover Sport shows that the best luxury car isn't necessarily the most expensive. It offers a lot of what we like about the full-size&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/land-rover/range-rover-sport/4x4/review/n74">Range Rover</a>, but at a much more affordable price. That means you get a commanding view of the road, a luxurious interior, a cosseting ride and impressive off-road ability.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">It also handles better than its larger sibling, although it’s not quite as sporty as the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/bmw/x5/4x4/review/n38">BMW X5</a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/porsche/cayenne/estate/review/n17375">Porsche Cayenne</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="ltr">Our favourite model, the P440e&nbsp;<a href="https://www.whatcar.com/news/best-plug-in-hybrid-cars/n22743">plug-in hybrid</a>, offers a substantial pure-electric range of 70 miles. That not only enhances the car's already impressive level of refinement, but it also makes it even more enticing as a company car, due to its ultra-low tax rating.</p>


1: Range Rover Sport

<h3><strong>Pros</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Offers lots of Range Rover qualities for a lower price</li>
	<li>Incredible ability off-road</li>
	<li>Fantastic range on the PHEV model</li>
</ul>

<h3><strong>Cons</strong></h3>

<ul>
	<li>Cheaper than a Range Rover, but still very expensive</li>
	<li>Rivals are sharper to drive</li>
	<li>Land Rover’s reliability record is a concern</li>
</ul>


G CLASS

<p>We can understand why you might be drawn to the old-school charms of the G-Class, but rivals are a lot better to drive on the road and many are also significantly less expensive.</p>

<hr />
<p><strong>For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter&nbsp;<a href="https://pages.haymarket.com/whatcar/wcar-form.html">here</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>Read more: <a href="https://www.whatcar.com/best/luxury-suvs/n17036">Best luxury SUVs</a> &gt;&gt;</strong></h2>


And the luxury car to avoid: Mercedes G-Class

The best luxury cars in 2023

<h2>What we're looking for:</h2><ul><li>Plush ride and the ability to cruise in near-silence </li> <li>Powerful and efficient engine</li> <li>Space for passengers to stretch out in the rear seats</li> <li>Exquisite materials and build quality</li> <li>Endless luxuries on the options list</li> <li>Sensible fuel and tax bills</li></ul>

<p>If you’re in the market for a luxury car, you’ll be after a sumptuous interior, a ride that can soak up the worst of the UK’s pockmarked roads and supreme refinement that allows you to travel at speed in near-silence.</p>

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